--- title: Cortisol, PM Test type: test id: cortisol-pm url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-pm" price_usd: 34.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 40.99 cpt: 82533 category: Hormones sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "1–3 business days" labs: - Quest - BioReference orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cortisol-pm&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # Cortisol, PM Test > Measures afternoon cortisol levels to evaluate adrenal function and the normal diurnal cortisol pattern, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $34.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $34.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($40.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 82533 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics, BioReference (NY & NJ) | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the Cortisol, PM test tell you? Measures afternoon cortisol levels to evaluate adrenal function and the normal diurnal cortisol pattern. Cortisol follows a natural diurnal rhythm — highest in the early morning and lowest in the late evening. A PM cortisol test measures levels in the afternoon or evening to evaluate whether this pattern is intact. Abnormally high PM cortisol can indicate Cushing's syndrome, chronic stress, or HPA axis dysregulation. When paired with an AM cortisol test, the PM result provides a more complete picture of adrenal function. This test is commonly ordered for patients with symptoms of adrenal dysfunction, including fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, and difficulty recovering from stress. **Clinical use:** Measures serum cortisol — the body's primary stress hormone. PM (4 PM) measurement evaluates afternoon cortisol decline; useful for Cushing's screening and HPA axis assessment. ## Who should order it? Anyone evaluating chronic stress, fatigue, weight gain, hypertension; suspected Cushing's syndrome (centripetal weight gain, purple striae, easy bruising); HPA axis dysfunction workup. ## Biomarkers measured - [Cortisol (PM)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/cortisol-pm) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $34.99 | $40.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | $27.99 | $33.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a Cortisol, PM test cost? A Cortisol, PM test costs $34.99 at TestWell — $40.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $180.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. | Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $34.99 | $40.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $180.00 | $180.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | Lab test codes: Quest test code 4213 · Labcorp test no. 104026 · BioReference code 0067-9. ## How do you prepare? Blood should be drawn between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM for accurate PM cortisol assessment. ## Related conditions - Cushing syndrome (E24.9) - Adrenal insufficiency (E27.40) - Addison disease (E27.1) - HPA axis dysfunction (E27.49) ## Common questions about the Cortisol, PM test ### Why test PM cortisol instead of AM? Cortisol follows a strong diurnal rhythm — peaks at 7-9 AM (10-20 µg/dL) and drops to <5 µg/dL by 4 PM. An elevated PM cortisol can be the earliest sign of Cushing's syndrome (when AM cortisol still looks normal). PM cortisol is also useful for evaluating shift workers and stress-related HPA dysfunction. ### What's a normal PM cortisol level? Afternoon (4 PM): 3-10 µg/dL. Below 3 µg/dL may indicate adrenal insufficiency. Above 10 µg/dL in the afternoon (especially with elevated AM cortisol) is suspicious for Cushing's and warrants follow-up testing (24-hour urine free cortisol or low-dose dexamethasone suppression). ### When should I get a PM cortisol vs AM cortisol? AM cortisol (7-9 AM) for screening adrenal insufficiency (Addison's). PM cortisol (4 PM) for screening Cushing's syndrome or evaluating HPA-axis dysrhythmia. Many endocrinologists order both at baseline to see the full diurnal pattern. ### How much does a cortisol test cost without insurance? On TestWell, Cortisol is $34.99. Quest Direct lists the same test at $55, walk-in hospital labs typically bill $120-180 without insurance. ### What is the CPT code for cortisol? The CPT code for serum cortisol (total) is 82533. Free cortisol (rare) is 82530. Salivary cortisol uses 82530 also. ### Do I need to fast? No fasting required. Avoid stressful events (intense exercise, conflict, surgery) for 24 hours before the draw, as acute stress dramatically spikes cortisol and produces uninterpretable results. ### Is serum cortisol better than salivary cortisol? Different uses. Serum measures Total cortisol (mostly bound); salivary measures Free cortisol (bioavailable). For Cushing's screening, late-night salivary or 24-hour urine free cortisol is more sensitive than serum. For HPA assessment, salivary 4-point testing maps the full rhythm best. Serum is fine for initial workup. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cortisol-pm&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, BioReference (NY & NJ) patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 1–3 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [Sleep Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/sleep-health-panel) — 8 tests · $129.99 - [Adiponectin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/adiponectin) — $36.99 - [Aldosterone](https://www.test-well.com/tests/aldosterone-test) — $61.99 - [Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Profile](https://www.test-well.com/tests/antidiuretic-hormone-profile) — $109.99 - [Cortisol](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-labcorp) — $32.99 - [Cortisol (AM)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-am) — $26.99 - [All Hormones tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/hormones) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-pm Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.